Learning Strategies for Mastering New Skills

Technology is advancing at unprecedented levels, and it’s only going to get faster. According to Moore’s Law all technological changes occur faster and faster doubling approximately every 18 months. Because of this fact, if you want to keep up in the world, continuously seek to master new skills.

If you want to master a new skill, it’s imperative first to ask and answer a few questions:

Are You Really Ready?

Do you have the right background to learn a new skill? For example, if you want to author a novel, what do need to add to your skillset? There are many processes to learn about that involves more than just writing do you need to back up and learn plotting, character development, or something else?

Do You Really Need It?

If you are entertaining learning a new skill, why do you want to learn it? What will you do when you do learn it? You don’t need to know everything. For example, if you are going to get your gallbladder out, you don’t have to learn surgery, the doctor knows what they are doing. There are experts for a reason. Let them do what they do.

How Do You Learn Best?

This is something you may know instinctively, or you may need to explore. Some people learn best from a hands-on method, others learn best by reading, and yet others require even more. Knowing how you learn best will help you find the right course, book, or plan for your needs.

Now that you know the answers to those questions when you do want to learn something new, remember to follow these tips.

• Set Clear Goals – When you want to learn a new skill, you need to set goals that define what you’re going to learn, the timeline behind it, and specific information that helps you succeed.

• Start Small – Be sure to break up the things you need to learn about the new skill into smaller parts. This is going to make it less overwhelming for you.

• Be Patient – Sometimes, the rush to learn can affect your mind and block your ability to absorb latest information. Instead, be kind to yourself and patient as you learn the new skill.

• Teach What You Learn – For most people, regardless of learning style, turning around and teaching someone else about what you’re learning is helpful. Even if you cannot teach someone, you can send a note to yourself via email telling yourself what you learned.

Developing the capacity to master new skills faster will help you stay ahead of the curve. However, keep in mind that you don’t need to know everything. You only need to know what you need to know to make the right decisions for your life and your work.

Powerful Tips for Home Offices That Will Drastically Increase Work Flow

If you work from home then you will probably be familiar with what a struggle it is constantly to remain productive and to get work done when you're surrounded by distractions. When your work environment is the same as your home environment either all the time or sometimes, it's far too easy to make excuses to pop to the kitchen or to pick up that tempting book lying on the coffee table and these things can actually destroy our productivity.

Another problem is that home offices are designed and maintained by us. There's no boss telling us to keep our desk tidy and no HR team to advise us on the best posture or the best point in the room for enhancing productivity. Below are some fixes that can help you stay on task.

Paper Trays

Having papers everywhere is a problem that affects not just home workers but pretty much everyone else too. The first solution to this issue is to get paper trays which allow you to quickly and easily 'dump' your papers out the way so they at least aren't making mess.

Here you're going to have two trays. One will be your 'working memory' and one will be your 'short term memory'. Anything that you're done with but not ready to get rid of will go in your 'short term memory', whereas anything that you're currently still working with or that you'll be able to throw away later will go in your 'working memory'. At a predefined time every day/week/month you'll then sort through the trays and move anything from the short-term memory tray into a filing cabinet – your 'long term memory'. This mimics the way the human brain stores information and it makes it much easier to keep on top of everything.

Portable Scanners

Portable scanners are scanners that can take paper through a feed in a similar manner to a printer. Some of these can even take multiple sheets of paper at once and this actually makes it much easier to quickly scan reams of documents, while OCR (Optical Character Recognition) software will automatically catalogue and organize them. This allows you to get rid of an awful lot of paper and to thereby create far less paper for yourself. Likewise you should of course go paperless with your bills, statements and everything else you can.

Desk Toys

If you do struggle with procrastination then a desk toy can go a long way to help. This can include things like small rakes and sand pits, or like cat's cradles. The reason these work well is that they provide work for idle thumbs but aren't nearly as engaging as a mobile phone. In other words, you can play with these little toys while your computer loads and not risk getting 'sucked in'. They also add to that business feel and make your home office feel more like a real place of work.

Working Through Fear: Ending Success Roadblocks

Some people fear failure, and others fear success. That might seem nuts to fear success, but success brings responsibility, and some people are afraid of that too. If you really want to be more successful it’s time to work through your fear.

Signs of Fear of Success

If you fear success, there is a chance that you actively avoid success. You don’t make goals, remember deadlines, or aren’t self-motivated, or often second-guess yourself. Making decisions is difficult for someone who is acting in fear.

In fact, fear of success is so intense in some people that it seems disaster strikes them anytime they’re getting ready to taste success. They get sick, use drugs, and actively sabotage themselves. Some people just never make decisions and don’t even realize they’re practicing sabotage.

To deal with fear, you can work through it by doing the following:

• Confront Limiting Beliefs – This could be about all sorts of things from yourself to what you think about society. You must remember that your life is just one of millions, and even though your feelings and experiences are valid, they’re not a real representation of reality.

• Surround Yourself with Supportive People – The more people you have around you that are positive and supportive of you, the better. People who want the best for you will not encourage you to stay stagnant in life. They’ll want to hold you up and help push you toward success with joy.

• Keep a Journal – A gratitude journal is helpful, but so is a journal that you write down all your negative self-talk. After you let it all out, go back and correct what you wrote as if your child wrote it to turn it into positive self-talk.

• Revel in Past and Current Successes – The one way to get over the fear of success is to experience more success. When you do something difficult for you to do, and you feel good about it, let yourself feel it. It’s fun to be successful, and you should be proud of everything you overcome.

• Ask Yourself: What’s the Worst That Can Happen? – For any given situation, when you are unsure of what to do, and you can feel the fear rising up and preventing you from making a good choice, ask yourself what the worst thing can happen is based on each option you can make before making a choice.

• Accept Discomfort – The idea that you can be successful in life without any discomfort at all is flat out wrong. The truth is when you feel uncomfortable is when you are most likely to learn something amazing or accomplish something amazing.

The more success you experience, the less fear you’re going to have. Challenge yourself and learn as much as you can so that you can overcome any fear that is holding you back.

The Very Best Productivity Apps for Working From Home

Working from home introduces a number of challenges when it comes to being productive and getting work done. Apart from the issues relating to remote collaboration, you also have the challenges of staying on task (avoiding distractions), avoiding data leaks, and accessing the powerful tools you would normally use in an office.

Here are some of the best apps to help you solve those problems.

Google Drive (Android, iOS)

Not only is Google Drive a great app for storing your files on the cloud but with access to Google Docs you also get a full office suite for editing them on the go. This is really handy if you're working on a spreadsheet remotely and you want people in the office to see the live changes.

Dropbox (Android, iOS, Windows, Mac)

Dropbox is a cloud sharing app that gives you lots of space and makes it very easy to access your files.

Splashtop Remote (Android, iOS, Windows, Mac)

Working on at home and find you left an important file in the office? Splashtop Remote is thankfully on hand and will allow you to access your desktop and stream it through your device. The framerate's not always the best but if you're not watching movies that's hardly a problem. Another alternative is TeamViewer.

Mobile Office365 (Android, iOS, Windows, Mac)

When it comes to getting work done, few tools are more powerful than Microsoft Office. This is the industry standard when it comes to producing documents, spread sheets, presentations and more. It has lots of powerful features too, such as the ability to track changes which is crucial for collaboration.

Keep in mind that you can use Sharepoint in a similar manner to Google Docs, but with added workflow tools.

Zoom (Android, iOS, Windows, Mac)

Zoom is by far the most widely used video conferencing software. It is very quick to install (great for clients and business partners that don’t already have it), it syncs seamlessly with Google Calendar, and it has lots of features – such as the ability to record sessions.

Notion (Android, iOS, Windows, Mac)

Notion is a great note taking app that will let you capture your ideas then view them elsewhere. Notion’s true power is that it actually has the functionality of a full CMS, meaning you can also create tables, or even entire websites! This has the potential to become a “second brain.”

Asana (Android, iOS, Windows, Mac)

Asana is a project management tool that is extremely useful for juggling projects with lots of contributors.

10 Ways to Sleep Better Every Night

Sleeping well every night is essential to your success. When you sleep better, you tend to be a healthier weight, have less anxiety, and it increases your ability to meet your obligations in life – plus of course have some fun too.

• Eat Right – Try to eat enough nutritious foods during the day. Avoid any type of digestive issues before bedtime, to help you get to sleep each night without having to get up to use the restroom.

• Exercise – Every day walk or do a form of exercise for at least 20 to 45 minutes. This will help you work off any anxiety or stress and help you get to sleep better each night.

• Stay Hydrated – Drinking enough water during the day, well before bedtime, will also help you avoid being woke up to use the toilet obsessively at night. Drink 32 ounces of infused lemon water when you wake up and then drink throughout the day but avoid it about two hours before bedtime.

• Get More Sunlight in The Daytime – Sunlight plays an important role in your circadian rhythms. Your body may be confused about the time due to all the lighting we experience each day. Focus your sunlight earlier in the day, if possible, prior to 3 PM.

• Avoid Screens and Light at Bedtime – Your screens likely emit “blue” light, which can interfere with your natural rhythm and confuse your brain about what time it is. Turn off your screens an hour before bedtime.

• Avoid Caffeine After Lunch – Caffeine can also interfere with your ability to get to sleep at night. Try avoiding soft drinks and caffeine after lunch for two to four weeks.

• Don’t Take Naps – While you’re focusing on falling asleep at night, stop all napping. If you get tired, get moving.
• Set Consistent Bedtimes – It may seem tedious, but the more often you go to bed at the same time and get up at the same time, regardless of the quality of your sleep – the more likely you are to end up with a regular sleep schedule that works.
• Try a Supplement – Melatonin supplements work for some people. When you take any supplements, check the history of the manufacturer to ensure you are buying a quality product and only use what they suggest, not what you find as dosing on the net.

• Set the Mood – Your bedroom should be set up for sleep. Make the room darker and colder than the rest of the house void of technology. Create a comfortable, relaxed environment, where you can rest easily.

Creating a sound sleep routine and atmosphere helps you to achieve your daytime goals, as well as your health goals.

Making Your Office Conducive to Work

Most of us know that we need to think carefully about office design if we’re going to work productively. But what many people don’t realize, is that it’s not just the furniture in the office that can support or hinder your attempts to work hard. Factors that influence your physiology can also have a big effect.

Light

For instance, it's crucial that you keep your rooms light enough if you want to be able to see what you're doing and to feel like you have space and air in the room. There are few things that make you feel less productive than being in a claustrophobic room.

At the same time, this also has an impact on our mood. A dark room has the tendency to make us feel tired, whereas light helps stimulate cortisol and wakefulness hormones. One great investment for a home office therefore is a daylight lamp, which creates light with a similar wavelength to the sun. It can combat SAD and it also improves productivity.

Distractions

At the same time you need to remove distractions – but not to the point where the room is so bland that you completely lose inspiration. Plants and colors can help to keep you feeling creative, but something like a TV is just begging for you to not work. Remember to put anything else you buy for your home office on your expense account!

Separation

Treat this room in your house like a real office too. Don't go in there when you're not working and make sure you take regular breaks to sit outside with a cup of tea or to just grab lunch.

Doing this will help to create an association between work and the office space – thus walking into the office will put you in a more productive headspace that will help you work longer and better.

Temperature

Even the temperature of your room has an impact on productivity. Ideally, this space should be lightly cool. This will help you to feel more awake and avoid drowsiness. Did you know that many theaters maintain a cool ambient temperature in order to keep the audience engaged with the stage show?

Smell and More

Even the smell has an effect! The right essential oils can stimulate the production of positive hormones that stimulate creativity and productivity, conversely, a bad odor floating in from outside can have a very negative impact.

Air quality is important too.

In short, do everything you can to make your office a space that nurtures and protects your productive instincts!

7 Ways to Develop a Wealthy Mindset

When studying people, one thing that becomes clear is that if you were born into a middle or lower-middle-class family that had struggles making ends meet you will have a far different mindset, as compared to wealthier counterparts.

People can have different mindsets even if they had the same amount of money, but if the perception was that they had means, they acted differently than people who did not think they had means.

Define What Wealth Means to You

It’s crucial for you to define what this means for you. How much money do you need to earn to feel wealthy or to be able to make the kinds of choices that will lead to more wealth for you?

Choose a real number. Yes, wealth can be in non-monetary terms, but the truth is, you often need money to live a happy life. Money doesn’t make you happy, but money can make a happy life easier.

Set Clear Monetary Goals

Once you have set the wealth number, and lifestyle ideas for yourself, it’s also essential to use that information to set clear monetary goals. You may not be close to those goals, but when you spell out what you want your life to look like, it’s going to be a lot easier to get there. Think of it as using GPS to plan a cross country trip.

Develop an Action Plan

You can use your business plan to help you design your business so that it meets your income requirements. When you know exactly what you need to do today to produce the income you need tomorrow, you’re going to be much more successful in your endeavors.

Surround Yourself with Likeminded People

You may need to find new friends and colleagues to surround yourself with if you are often getting pushback from your friends, family, and coworkers. Join local groups, find international groups, locate a life and business coach who can encourage and help you realize your goals by giving you some accountability.

Implement Your Plan

You can tell the universe all day long that you want $1,000,000 dollars, but if you aren’t doing something to generate those funds it’s not going to happen magically. You have to create a plan and start taking the actions needed to achieve your goals within the various areas.

Measure, Track, and Adjust Your Plan

You can only be sure you’re heading in the right direction if you check your numbers and track the data. For example, if you said you needed to earn 100 dollars a day to reach your goal for September, did you reach that goal, and if so, can you duplicate it?

Once you check your numbers, if you find that things aren’t working as planned you can adjust. If you find that things are working better than you thought you can do more of it.

Powerful Gadgets for Working From Home

When working from home, the right gadgets can make a huge difference to your productivity. Not only do these help make work more enjoyable (not waiting 10 minutes for a computer to load up), but they also let you work in ways you otherwise could, and shave minutes off of your routine tasks. Here are some powerful work-from-home gadgets you might not have considered.

Echo Show

This device from Amazon is essentially a housing unit for the company’s digital assistant Alexa. The great thing about this one, is that it also has a camera.

The Echo Show can be an amazing tool for collaboration, thanks for the ability to “drop in” on family members to get a live-feed from their camera.

At the same time, an Echo Show will let you ask questions such as maths problems and get a quick answer without having to look up from the keyboard. Keep one in the office and you can also use it to set reminders.

Apple Watch

One of the best productivity gadgets is surprisingly the Apple Watch. While this device might not appear to do much that your phone can’t, the convenience of having it on your wrist, and the highly personal nature of the tech, makes it quite game-changing in this regard.

For one, an Apple Watch lets you put “complications” (widgets) right on your wrist. One of the best ways to use this is to show to-dos from Todoist here. By keeping these on your wrist, there is no way you can possibly miss them!

Getting notifications to your wrist also means you know whether something is important without needing to stop what you’re doing. And being able to talk to Siri on your wrist offers many of the same benefits as an Echo.

That’s before we talk about the indirect ways that health tracking can improve your productivity and performance.

GPD P2 Max

The GPD P2 Max is a surprisingly powerful laptop that is almost small enough to fit in a pocket. The reason this is notable, is that it gives you an option for typing up work that can be brought with you on a train, or that you can type on in bed without feeling like you’re glued to a massive laptop. This is perfect for when you just need to do some quick work, which can in turn make you productive at times you didn’t know you could be!

8 Ways to Overcome Disappointment

Everyone faces disappointments in life. Some disappointments are minor while others can be catastrophic. However, you choose how to manage and overcome your disappointment. You are in charge of your actions and reactions.

Usually, disappointment happens because an outcome we hoped for or expected did not come to fruition. This happens frequently throughout your life so knowing how to overcome your disappointment will help you move on and find happiness.

Wallow and Move On

When something disappointments you, don’t ignore your feelings. It’s okay to be sad and feel frustrated. This happens in all areas of life when your expectations aren’t met. Let yourself feel the emotions but don’t wallow in your disappointment. Let it go and move on after you grieve through it.

Gain Different Perspectives

During your wallowing phase, you may need to get new perspectives by asking for friends’ opinions. Make sure you’re ready to hear the unvarnished truth before you ask. There is no right or wrong here. You just want new perspectives.

Engage in Positive Activities

Once you’re tired of wallowing, start doing things that make you feel good and positive about life. You may want to read a book, listen to uplifting music, watch funny movies, or spend time with people you love.

Detach from The Outcome

If your expectation was not realistic, the outcome was probably inevitable. Detach from the outcome and look at the process that caused the disappointment. You may be able to prevent that same thing from occurring again.

Deal with Your Cognitive Dissonance

Everyone has deeply held convictions that are erroneous. Sometimes disappointments occur when your convictions are challenged. It’s hard to let go of something you thought was true, even when you are faced with the evidence.

Acknowledge the Opportunity for Growth

When you have a situation where an outcome is not what you thought it would be, you have an opportunity to learn something new and grow. When you understand what went wrong, why it went wrong, and what, if anything, you could do differently next time would help you accept the outcome

Do Your Best

All you can do in life is the best you can do based on what you know. If you’re challenging your ideas, learning new ways of thinking, and moving through disappointments in life that’s really all you can do.

Practice Acceptance

Acceptance means that you realize it is what it is, and you can’t undo the past. While something may be disappointing, accepting the facts gives you the opportunity to move on and change plans.

You can overcome disappointment in life and bounce back faster with practice. Set up a contingency plan that will help you overcome disappointment, and you’ll see that you can deal with it in a new way that will ensure your future success and happiness.

How to Recover from Setbacks

Congratulations. You tried but you didn’t achieve your ultimate goal. Guess what? It’s okay. In fact, it’s impressive. You got out there and did a lot of things outside of your comfort zone. Your bravery and dedication are truly enough to get through the fact that you had a setback.

The truth is, if you work hard in life and push through, overcome challenges, solve problems, and learn new things, you’re going to have major setbacks sometimes. That’s the way life works. It’s so much better, though, to try and fail than to never try at all.

Accept the Situation

The worst thing you can do when things don’t work out is to pretend it did not happen. People fail to achieve their goals every day. It is not the end of the world. Even if the failure resulted in severe consequences the only thing you can do now is accept what happened and try again, at some point.

Take Responsibility

Once you realize you failed now, you want to take responsibility for the failure. You can only be responsible for things you had direct control over so make sure you’re being fair to yourself and realistic.

Fix What You Can

Once you realize a mistake was made, and something failed, you’ll need to fix whatever you can. That may mean something like saying sorry, financial compensation, or another solution based on who was affected.

Practice Forgiveness

Forgive yourself if you want others to forgive you too. Also forgive anyone who may blame themselves. Tell people that you’re sorry for your part, describing your role, and then forgive everyone, including yourself.

Debrief and Learn

The best way to figure things out when things go wrong is to go through the steps you took that contributed to the problem. This is what happens during any accident. Everyone goes over the mistakes together so that they can avoid them in the future, rather than point fingers and place blame.

Move On 

Once you study the situation and you have more information about how to make things work like you wanted, let it go and move on. For example, if you realize the reason you didn’t get paid for the work you did is because you did not stick to your onboarding plan or make them sign a contract. You now know what to do, if you aren’t paid next time, that the problem is elsewhere and not with you again.

Recovering from setbacks and a failure to meet your goal is as simple as accepting the failure, making restitution to anyone that needs it, identifying issues that caused the failure, and making improved strategies based on the new information you learn.